Nuggets - 14 July 2008

by New-Noise

Manu Chao, TV Smith, Tribute To Seaweed

" ‘In The Arms Of My Enemy’ is frankly embarrassing; an album that flatters to deceive with its nicely produced guitars and poppy choruses, but that truly reveals its horror when you listen to Smith’s dreadful, cracked voice creaking out abysmal lyrics."

Manu Chao - Esperanza/Radio Bemba Sound System (re-issues)
By Jon Severs
Pull some bands out of a studio and onto the road and they suddenly look more vulnerable than a hedgehog on the M25. Manu Chao is the opposite. Listening to 'Esperanza', you find it hard to believe 3 million people bought it. The songs are pedestrian and lifeless, the studio effects plentiful and suffocating. 'Me Gustas Tu' is typical, a light reggae jaunt that lacks the energy to make it transcend the generic. 'Radio Bemba' - the live album -  in contrast, is a revelation. You instantly understand why he got a top slot at Glastonbury and will be headlining Lovebox. Songs like 'Mr Bobby' that are anonymous on the studio album simmer and pulse with the sounds of carnival. Live, Manu Chao is superb. In the studio, he fails to set himself apart.

TV Smith - In The Arms Of My Enemy
By Mike Haydock
Frontman with The Adverts, TV Smith is a punk rock veteran who proves on this solo album that his time has long since passed. ‘In The Arms Of My Enemy’ is frankly embarrassing; an album that flatters to deceive with its nicely produced guitars and poppy choruses, but that truly reveals its horror when you listen to Smith’s dreadful, cracked voice creaking out abysmal lyrics. “Backstage Bob / We miss you / When are you coming back?” Ummm… bothered? “I watch all the channels / Trying to find my place / Taking every precaution / Still I don’t feel safe.” Auditioning for Grumpy Old Men, perhaps? And it’s that latter angle that overrides everything, as though your granddad has finally got the chance to air all his pathetic moans in one go: environmentalists harping on, the lack of community, having to fight for a parking spot, the Big Brother state. It isn’t intelligent, and it most certainly isn’t punk rock. Avoid.

Hours And Hours – A Tribute To Seaweed
By Simon T Diplock
The planet’s biggest bands aren’t short of praise – someone probably conceives of a new Metallica tribute every half hour – but the best musical cap-doffing usually comes when the commendation is for smaller acts, bands that might not have sold a billion records but touched people nevertheless. Like the way 90s post-hardcore types Seaweed have obviously inspired the folks at Engineer Records and motivated a truly impressive line-up- from New Jersey’s Nora and Swiss rockers Favez to Cave In’s Steven Brodsky and Rob Avery of Boysetsfire - to pay homage. The thud of ‘Start With’ and (despite how well popcore kids Kane Hodder handle it) the mechanical noise of ‘Stagger’ might explain why Seaweed stalled at cult level but this is still a solid tribute to a band that clearly means a lot.

Tim Downes said on July 23rd 2008 [report abuse]

Personally, I disagree about your view of this album and what being punk stands for. On the subject of the “abysmal lyrics;” I had the pleasure of meeting 'Backstage Bob' and found him to be a man of great integrity and humility. There are people who are bothered by his passing last year. Please think carefully about the lyrics of the songs you review, Mike. The pen may be mightier than the sword but that doesn't mean using it as a weapon is the right thing to do.

Alan Smith said on July 24th 2008 [report abuse]

Totally disagree with the TV Smith review - Mike Haydock doesn't even seem to understand the lyrics - for example TV does not attack the environmentalists the song expresses totally the opposite view. I suggest Mike Haydock sticks to reviewing the latest Cheeky Girl releases where he has a better chance of understanding the words...

fleagle said on July 24th 2008 [report abuse]

quote Mike haydock ' It isn’t intelligent, and it most certainly isn’t punk rock'. sorry Mike, I think you are certainly not intelligent and I doubt if you knew what punk rock was/is today if it came and spat in your nappy - get a real job, get some respect and an english language qualification - and stop quoting Catherine Tate characters catchphrases - its so last year - much like yourself.

Fleagle,now gramatically correct. said on July 24th 2008 [report abuse]

Quote from Mike haydock, '' It isn’t intelligent, and it most certainly isn’t punk rock''. I am sorry Mike, I think that you are certainly not intelligent and I doubt if you knew what punk rock was/is today if it came and spat in your nappy. Please, get a real job, get some respect and an English language qualification,you really must stop quoting Catherine Tate characters catchphrases,because its so last year, much like yourself.

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